Local Community Advertising
An Okanagan College faculty member is going above and beyond to help a student that suffered a massive brain aneurism earlier this month while playing soccer in Kelowna.
Gary Baker, 46, is a student at the Salmon Arm campus and is currently struggling to recover in Vancouver General Hospital, where he has undergone two major brain surgeries in the past few weeks. In an effort to raise money for Baker and his family, Tim Walters will set out on a very ambitious three-day 160 kilometre trek.
Walters says Baker's recovery could take months, or years, and it will place a huge financial strain on the family.
"I've known Gary and his family - many of whom are, or have been, OC students - for several years now," said Walters "They are exceptional folks, and ever since I heard about the accident I have been moved by a deep sense of compassion and solidarity to want to do something to help make their lives a little easier while they deal with this tragedy."
To help the family, Walters plans to attempt to walk between the four Okanagan College campuses in three days. He will leave from the Penticton campus Tuesday morning and make his way to Kelowna and Vernon before arriving at the Salmon Arm campus on Sept. 1.
"Although I am a keen hiker, I will average 55 kilometres per day during this fundraising walk, a distance considerably greater than I have ever walked in a single day, and I will try very hard indeed to do that for three days in a row," Walters said.
Walters will post photographs of his progress every few hours on the Campus to Campus Fundraising Walk Facebook page so sponsors can follow along. His goal is to raise $3,200 or more, which works out to $20 for each kilometre. Every dollar raised will go directly to the Baker family to help them with their daily living expenses.
"My experience has always been that my friends, my family and my colleagues in the Okanagan College community are generous and understand that we are obliged to help those who need our help if we are able to do so," added Walters.
A Go Fund Me page has been started to collect the funds and in a single day $1,450 has been raised for the walk. To learn more or donate, visit the fundraising page or Facebook page.
Local Community Advertising